Page 87 of Mated to the Enemy
“I told you, I was fine. Bored, alone, but not hurt. I think they were afraid that if they did anything to me and you found out, you’d talk anyway. You can give me a refill though to make up for it.”
Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you said you were fine.”
“It was aweek, Jess. That’s a long time. Now…” she shook the wine glass back and forth.
“Unbelievable,” Jess muttered under her breath, still smiling.
“What can you tell me about living among the bears? I take it what we heard was…mostly incorrect?”
Jess nodded. “They’re good people. Especially Klaue, but some of the others as well. Slow to trust, but once you find out everything that’s happened, you’ll understand. You’ll be fine here, I promise.”
Zoe nodded. “I hope so. I—” Before she could speak again, there was a commotion outside in the hallway.
The two girls looked at each other, then—as one—got up and went to go see what was going on.
It was the shifters returning, the first load of badly injured. Jess held her breath, watching each of them as they emerged from the nearby elevator and were taken down the halls to their rooms, while calls ensued for the Priest of the House and his attendants to come quickly. There were bones that needed setting.
“Do you see him?” Zoe asked quietly from next to her.
Jessica shook her head. “No, but if I know Klaue, he’ll have waited until the very end. He’ll want to ensure everyone is okay and looked after. I’m already safe, he knows that. His men will need him first.”
“Maybe,” Zoe said cryptically. “Maybe not.”
“Klaue is agoodman,” Jess hissed fiercely.
“I don’t doubt that. But look.” She turned to her left, to an intersection farther up the corridor, where it crossed with the Grand Hallway and the main entrance.
Klaue stood there, staring at her.
“Oh, my,” Zoe said carefully. “Um. Jess.”
“I’m on it,” she muttered. “Avert your eyes. He’s mine.”
“Don’t worry,” Zoe teased. “There’s plenty of other eye candy around for me to look at, even if this one is particularly, um, um. Shit. What’s a good word for big that isn’t big?”
Jess pushed in front of her sister and walked up to Klaue, who watched her come the entire time.
“Klaue,” she said conversationally.
“Yes?”
“You’re naked.”
“Yes.”
“Your quarters. Clothes. Let’s go.”
He stood staring at her.
“Now,Klaue,” she repeated, using the firmer voice the Queen had coached her on.
Klaue shook himself, which had…interesting…repercussions, and then bowed his head. “Yes, dear.”
He turned and marched off, giving her an excellent view of his rear. Behind her, Zoe snickered.
Jess ignored it. She was too busy smiling. It had worked!
